Last Updated:
Ikram opined that the return of the Hockey India League, after a seven-year hiatus, bodes well for not just the future of the sport in the country but also the wider hockey world.
FIH Chief Dato Tayyab Ikram. (X)
International Hockey Federation President Dato Tayyab Ikram opined that the return of the Hockey India League, after a seven-year hiatus, bodes well for not just the future of the sport in the country but also the wider hockey world.
“Hockey India League is very close to my heart. It’s an athlete-centric initiative. Globally, we need more platforms that provide athletes with opportunities to perform and receive the recognition they deserve,” Ikram began.
“The Hockey India League has a unique organisation and timing, scheduled within a window specially sanctioned by the FIH, which enables top athletes to come together and compete, making it much more than just a hockey competition,” he added.
“I believe this initiative is a great initiative not just for Indian hockey, but also for global hockey,” he boomed.
“Significant participation from players along with the involvement of domestic talent will have a profound impact on the sport’s growth and development,” said the FIH chief.
He lauded the quality of the venues at the HIL and the response the tournament has received from the home audience.
“One of the best hockey venues in the world, is in the limelight alongside some incredible hockey action, thanks to the league’s global broadcast and coverage. The response from Rourkela is no surprise—they are an integral part of the process to understand and recognise what Hockey India League truly is,” Ikram added.
Ikram, who was re-elected as FIH President at the recent FIH Congress in Oman, reflected on the year 2024 and touched upon the efforts of the world governing body to take the game far and wide.
“We started 2024 with the World Cup in Oman, which was a dream come true. It wasn’t just about organising the event but also about welcoming participation from emerging nations like Namibia, Kenya, Oman, and Paraguay, alongside hockey powerhouses such as Australia, the Netherlands, and India. It was truly about bridging the gap between these nations.
“Apart from FIH Congress, we also held two National Association Summits. We also held an engagement process in 2024, which resulted in the Nations Cup 2. Our performance in the Paris Olympics was a significant feature of 2024. We are very happy that the figures are coming out, and it was one of the most successful years for global hockey,” he concluded.
Ikram also shed light on the importance of players’ mental health amid the eventful calendar.
“This is a new program that has been initiated with my background on the athletes’ welfare. The FIH is fully equipped for the mental health approach. We launched this program in our last congress in November. So, we are going to have different phases. How best we can help athletes with their mental health? Until now, we haven’t heard much about this,” the FIH president said.
“We are taking our athletes who perform so well and use their time. How can we help them? Their psychological aspects, not everyone’s home environment is the same. Everyone’s participation in a competition is based on a different mindset. So, by identifying these things, we want to provide the best health to the athletes. Mental health is one of the most important things,” he concluded.
